Short guide: Deep Ecology, Erle Ellis’s Postnaturalism, and Tim Morton — for a 13-year-old

We’re going to look at three different ways people think about nature and humans: Deep Ecology, Erle Ellis’s postnaturalism, and Tim Morton’s ecological thought. I’ll explain each one simply, then compare them, give examples, and suggest quick activities.

1) What is Deep Ecology?

• Main idea: Nature has value on its own, not just because it helps humans. All living beings (plants, animals, ecosystems) are important.
• Values: Biocentrism (life-centered), respect for wilderness, and the belief that humans should live more simply and reduce harm to other life.
• Goal: Protect natural places and non-human life for their own sake, not only for human benefit.
• Example: Saving an old forest because it houses many species and has value itself, even if cutting it down could make money.

2) What is Erle Ellis’s Postnaturalism?

• Main idea: Humans have already changed nature everywhere (the Anthropocene). So the idea of a totally "pure" wilderness untouched by people is mostly gone.
• Values: Accept that humans shape landscapes; focus on managing and designing environments in smart, sustainable ways.
• Goal: Work with human-made and changed ecosystems (like cities, farms, gardens) to create better outcomes for humans and other species.
• Example: Turning an abandoned lot into a diverse community garden that supports insects and people — seeing it as a valuable ecosystem even though humans made it.

3) What is Tim Morton’s Ecological Thought?

• Main idea: Ecology is less about a separate, peaceful nature and more about complicated, strange connections between everything. Morton uses ideas like "hyperobjects" to show some environmental problems are huge and hard to understand.
• Key ideas:
  • "Hyperobjects": things like climate change that are so big they’re hard to fully picture or feel.
  • Everything is entangled: humans, animals, technology, and nature affect each other in surprising ways.
  • We should drop simple romantic ideas of "pure nature" and instead learn to live with weirdness, guilt, and connection.
• Goal: Change how we think and feel about the environment — more honest, less wishful thinking — and find new ways to live that accept complexity.
• Example: Realizing that your smartphone production and your lunch choices are linked to faraway ecosystems and climate change — and that these links are messy and hard to untangle.

How they are similar

• All three agree humans are part of the world, not completely separate from it.
• They all say we should care about nature — though they differ on why and how.
• They push against the simple idea that nature is just a resource for humans to use without thinking.

How they are different (simple comparison)

• Deep Ecology: Nature has intrinsic worth; protect wild places and reduce human impact. Often wants to return to or protect "natural" states.
• Postnaturalism (Erle Ellis): Nature is already mixed with humans; we should manage and design landscapes responsibly rather than trying to find untouched wilderness.
• Tim Morton: Focuses on the weird, philosophical side — big, hard-to-grasp problems (hyperobjects) and how everything is entangled. He asks us to change how we think, feel, and act.

Real-life examples to make it clear

• Imagine a big old forest near your town:
  • Deep Ecology: Protect it as much as possible — it has its own rights.
  • Ellis’s postnaturalism: Maybe people have used the forest for farms before. We should manage the forest and nearby lands so both people and wildlife do well.
  • Morton: Think about how the forest connects to global climate, local people, and even to things you buy. Recognize complex ties and uncomfortable truths.
• An urban park or community garden:
  • Deep Ecology: It’s good, but wild nature is special; strive to create more wild areas.
  • Postnaturalism: This is an example of a valuable human-shaped ecosystem we should cherish and improve.
  • Morton: Notice how the park links you to climate, food systems, and other people — and that these links are complicated.

Short activities and questions to try

1. Walk outside and list 5 things that are clearly natural and 5 things that show human influence. Which do you feel closer to? Why?
2. Pick one thing you use every day (like a phone or a t-shirt). Try tracing where it came from and how it connects to nature far away.
3. Discuss with friends: Should we try to make more wild spaces or improve the spaces we already live in? What would you choose and why?

Quick summary

Deep Ecology says nature is valuable by itself and deserves strong protection. Erle Ellis’s postnaturalism says humans have already changed the planet, so we should manage and design human-shaped landscapes responsibly. Tim Morton asks us to rethink how we feel and think about ecology — seeing huge, strange connections (like climate change) and learning to live with that complexity. Each idea helps us understand different parts of the environmental problems we face.

If you want, I can give a short quiz, a one-week activity plan, or a kid-friendly reading list about these ideas. Which would you like?